Retainer clip device

ABSTRACT

A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container on a film holder including a strap-like body made from a resilient material having a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with one another with one of the side elements being severed generally between its ends for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from the other side element. The severed side element includes at least one tab-like projection for detachably mounting the clip on a film holder, and one of the end elements includes a flange-like projection for detachable securement to the container for mounting the latter on the film holder.

United States Patent 1 1 Carlson 1 51March 13, 1973 RETAINER CLIP DEVICEFiled: March 1, 1972 Appl. No.: 230,843

Inventor:

U.S. Cl. ..24/73 PB, 206/47 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 11/1928 Nivois ..206/41 D 8/1940 Mehrkens 5/1963 Orenick et al.3/1969 Weier "@2441, 21/00 Field of Search ..206/47 R,41 HA, 46 FNEMPTY- FILM 89x 3,561,074 2/1971 Mosher et al ..24/208 A PrimaryExaminer--Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Teare, Teare & Sammon [57] ABSTRACTA retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container on a filmholder including a strap-like body made from a resilient material havinga pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositelydisposed end elements made integral with one another with one of theside elements being severed generally between its ends for yieldableswinging movement toward and away from the other side ele ment. Thesevered side element includes at least one tab-like projection fordetachably mounting the clip on a film holder, and one of the endelements includes a flange-like projection for detachable securement tothe container for mounting the latter on the film holder.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures RETAINER CLIP DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a retainer clip device fordetachably mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container orthe like, on a film holder. The clip device of the invention isadvantageously employed with film holders of the type for supportingfilm print so that the print coater may be applied thereto, as morefully described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 65,628 filedAug.20, 1970.

The retainer clip device of the present invention provides an efficientstrap-like attachment means for securing a container, such as acardboard box of the type that ordinarily holds film, onto the type offilm or print holder, as described in my aforementioned copendingapplication. Moreover, after the contents of the container (i.e., film)has been removed therefrom, the container then provides a convenientdepository for the collection and/or storage of waste material, such asexposed film, process materials, packaging materials or the like.Accordingly, by the device of the present invention, the container orbox which ordinarily holds the original packaged film need not be thrownaway or disposed of, but may be conveniently reused for collectionand/or storage of other litter and/or waste materials. This obviates thenecessity for having separate storage units and/or auxiliary attachmentequipment and provides a convenient means for maintaining theenvironment in a clean and litter-free condition. I-Ieretofore, it wasgenerally required that additional and/or auxiliary equipment, suchstrap or shoulder carriers, be employed to hold and store such asmaterials or the same were merely disposed of on the ground, therebyfurther cluttering and/or contaminating the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A retainer clip device for detachably mountinga container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a filmholder comprising, a strap-like body made from a resilient material,said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and apair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said sideelements, one of said side elements being severed generally between itsopposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and awayfrom said other side element, said severed side element including atleast one tab-like projection means for detachably mounting said clip ona film holder, and at least one of said end elements including aflange-like projection for detachable securement to a container formounting the latter on said film holder.

From the foregoing and the following description and accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that the present invention provides a new andnovel construction for a retainer clip device which is of a simple, yetinexpensive and rugged construction for mounting a container, such as abox, cartridge container or the like, on a film and/or print holderwithout the necessity to employ additional and/or auxiliary equipmentfor collecting, holding and/or disposing of litter or waste materials.Moreover, the clip device may be quickly and easily attached to thecontainer and the clip and container mounted, as a unit, on the filmholder for convenient portability by the user. In addition, the

device enables the container, such as the box containing original filmor the like, to be employed as the waste container which itself can bequickly and easily disposed of after normal use thereof. The device isconstructed and arranged to be used with conventional type containers,such as print and/or film boxes, and can be readily secured theretowithout modification thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation viewshowing the retainer clip device of the present invention employed formodification of the tab-like projection construction employed in thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevation view looking at the base or back sideof the film holder device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated the retainerclip device, designated generally at 2, for securing a container 4, suchas a box for holding film or the like, to a film holder 6.

In general, the film holder 6 includes a base 8 of generally flatconstruction having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 10 and 11(FIG. 6) which are pivotally mounted on the base 8 so the walls may befolded down one after the other onto the base for compact storagethereof. As shown, the side walls each include a plurality of slots 12adapted to receive one or more film prints therein for storage in theholder. For a more detailed description of the film holder, reference isagain made to my co-pending application, Ser. No. 65,628.

Now in accordance with the present invention, the retainer clip device2, in the embodiment shown, includes a strap-like body 14 preferably ofa polygonal, such as a rectangular, construction in plan view, as bestseen in FIG. 2. The body includes and is defined by a pair of oppositelydisposed end elements 16 which are connected together in integralrelation at one end by a side element 18. The other ends of the endelements 16 are each provided with a side element 20 and 22 which extendgenerally parallel to the side element 18 in the normal positionthereof, as best seen in FIG. 3. The side elements 20 and 22 are severedgenerally intermediate their ends to provide a spaced separation, as at24, so that each side element 22 and 20, together with its associatedend element 16 can pivot about its respective juncture, as at 26 and 28,with respect to the connection to the opposite side element 18. By thisarrangement, the junctures 26 and 28 (FIG. 3) provide fulcrum areas forpivotal movement of the end and severed side element sections in adirection toward and away from the opposite side element 18.

In the form shown, the severed side elements 20 and 22 are each providedwith an outwardly extending tablike projection 30 and 32 which are madeintegral therewith. The projections 30 and 32 are of a generally flatconstruction of reduced height (FIG. 4) as compared to the height of theassociated side elements 20 and 22 from which they extend. Preferably,the projections 30 and 32 have outermost surfaces which are disposed inthe same general plane as the corresponding outer confronting surfacesof the elements l6, 18, 20 and 22 which are disposed in the same generalplane with respect to one another, as best seen in FIG. 4. As shown, theprojections 30 and 32 each have laterally extended rounded portions 34and 36 which define undercut or recess areas 38 and 40 which merge withthe confronting outer surface of the respective elements 22 and 20. Therounded portions 34 and 36 provide camlike surfaces for interlockingcoacting engagement of the projections 30 and 32 with respect to anassociated part of the film holder 6.

In the form shown, the projections 30 and 32 are adapted to be insertedwithin complementary shaped slot-like openings 42 and 44 provided in therear or back wall '8 of the film holder 6.'The openings 42 and 44 havegenerally the same polygonal or transverse shape as that of therespective projections 30 and 32, but are of a slightly greaterdimension to slidably receive the maximum transverse width of theprojections 30 and 32 therethrough. Moreover, the openings 42 and 44provide mating sockets of complemental female construction adapted toreceive in snap-action relation the projections 30 and 32 in theinstalled positions thereof.

In FIG. there is illustrated a modified form of the type of projection,designated generally at 50, which may be employed in the invention. Asshown,-this form of projection includes a generally flat body 52 havinga centrally disposed channel or slot 54 extending therethrough so as toprovide transverse resiliency in the body thereof. In this form, thebody may be provided with rounded shoulders, asat 56 and 58, and issimilarly provided with rounded undercut recessed portions 60 and 62which merge smoothly in integral relation with the side element 20, asaforesaid.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the end elements 16 of the clip device 2 areeach provided with a laterally inwardly extending flange-like projection60 made integral therewith. The projections 60 (FIG. 4) preferablyextendin the general plane of the outer surfaces of the end elements 16on the side opposite the projections 30 and 32. As shown, theprojections 60 are generally of a semi-circular construction defined bya curved outer edge surface 62 with the projections having a lesserthickness as compared to that of the projections 30 and 32. Theprojections 60 preferably have a maximum transverse width sufficient toprovide securement when inserted interiorly of the lower closed edge ofthe container in the installed position thereof.

In a typical application, the clip device 2 is installed on the loweropen edge of the container simply-by inserting one of theflange-projections 60 (dotted line FIG. 2) into the lower open edge 65of the container 4, as best seen in FIG. 1. Thus inserted, the otherprojection 60 (solid line FIG. 2) may be inserted into the opposite edgeof the container by initially flexing the end 16 and side 18 and 22elements of the device in a' generally counter-clockwisedirection toposition the projection for insertion, and then by merely releasing thedevice so that the same returns to its original generally polygonalposition (FIG. 3) due to the elastic memory characteristics of thematerial. Thus installed, the device is securely mounted adjacent thelower closed end of the container 4 with the lower confronting surfacesof the elements 16, 18, 20 and 22 being in the same general plane as thelower confronting surface of the container, except for the slightbulbous protrusion of the flap 66 which constitutes the bottom of thecontainer which has been deformed by reason of insertion of theprojections 60, as best illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus assembled, the device 2 and container 4 may then be secured, asaunit, onto the film holder 6 merely by bringing the back side of thecontainer into face-to-face adjacency with the confronting surface ofthe back 8 of the film holder 6 so that one of the projections, such as30, may first be inserted into one of the openings, such as 42, and thenwith the other projection 32 being inserted into the other opening 44 byslight pivotal movement of the unit about the pivotal axis defined byinsertion of the first mentioned projection into its respective opening.

In the embodiment shown, the distance between the projections 30 and 32is preferably slightly greater than the corresponding distance betweenthe openings 42 and 44 so that as the end 16 and side 20 and 22 elementsare squeezed together about the fulcrum areas 26 and 28, the projections30 and 32 can be snapped into the respective openings 42 and 44 with therounded surfaces 34 and 36 providing a camming coacting engagement withthe confronting interior surfaces of the openings 42 and 44 so that theprojections are held in a lock secured position by reason of the nestingaction of the confronting marginal edges of the openings 42 and 44 withrespect to the corresponding undercut recesses 38 and 40 of therespective projections. Accordingly, in the installed position the sideelements 20 and 22 are drawn inwardly into a generally parallel relation(FIG. 3) so as to grippingly engage the outer confronting surface of thecontainer. The resiliency of the material of the device sets up aresistancy which holds the same in locked engagement on the film holdervia the interlocking connection of the projections 30 and 32 within thecorresponding openings 42 and 44. Preferably, the device is made from aresilient polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, available under thetrademark LEXAN.

By the foregoing arrangement, it will be seen that the retainer clipdevice of the invention may be employed with a container, such as anempty film cartridge container or the like, which provides a usefuldepository for all the material related to the type camera whichdevelops immediately after pictures are taken. The device readily snapsinto position, in seconds, and after all the pictures have been taken,the top of the container, as at 70, 72 and 74, may be folded into closedposition securing the contents, so that the litter may be discharged inthe form of a single, compact package.

I claim:

l. A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as abox, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder comprising,

a strap-like body made from a resilient material,

said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and apair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said sideelements, one of said side elements being severed generally between itsopposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and awayfrom said other side element, said severed side element including atleast one tablike projection means for detachably mounting said clip ona film holder, and at least one of said end elements including aflangelike projection for detachable securement to a container formounting the latter on said film holder. 2. A retainer clip device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said severed side element defines apair of wing-like portions which together with the integralcorresponding end elements yieldably pivot about the respectivejunctures of said end elements with said other side element. 3. Aretainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a pair oflaterally spaced tab-like projections made integral with and extendingoutwardly from said severed side element, said tab-like projectionsbeing disposed on opposed sides of the severance of said side elementadapted for snap-action interlocking engagement with complementaryrecess slots provided in said film holder. 4. A retainer clip device inaccordance with claim 3, wherein said tab-like projections extendoutwardly in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of said endand side elements. 5. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1,including a flange-like projection made integral with and extendinginwardly from said end elements in a direction generally toward oneanother adapted for insertion into a closed folded bottom end of saidcontainer. 6. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 5, whereinsaid flange-like projections extend inwardly generally parallel to oneanother and in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of the sideand end elements. 7. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1,including at least one pair of tab-like projections made integral withand extending outwardly from said severed side element, a flange-likeprojection made integral with and extending inwardly from said endelements, and said tab-like projections disposed in the general plane ofthe upper edge surfaces of said end and side elements with saidflange-like projections being disposed in the general plane of the loweredge surfaces of said end and side elements. 8. A retainer device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said body is made from a flexiblepolymeric material. 9. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim1,

wherein said container 18 of a hollow box-like construction having topand bottom ends,

said bottom end including a closed flap end portion defining a recessopening thereunder, and

said flange-like projection adapted to be inserted into said recessopening upon pivotal movement of at least a portion of said severed sideelement.

10. A retainer device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said film holder includes a base member adapted to be disposedadjacent said container,

said base member having at least one recess slot adjacent the bottomthereof, and said tab-like projection means adapted to be inserted forsnap-action interlocking engagement with said recess slot for holdingsaid clip device mounting said container on said film holder.

1. A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as abox, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder comprising, astrap-like body made from a resilient material, said body including apair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositelydisposed end elements made integral with said side elements, one of saidside elements being severed generally between its opposed end portionsfor yieldable swinging movement toward and away from said other sideelement, said severed side element including at least one tab-likeprojection means for detachably mounting said clip on a film holder, andat least one of said end elements including a flange-like projection fordetachable securement to a container for mounting the latter on saidfilm holder.
 1. A retainer clip device for detachably mounting acontainer, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a filmholder comprising, a strap-like body made from a resilient material,said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and apair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said sideelements, one of said side elements being severed generally between itsopposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and awayfrom said other side element, said severed side element including atleast one tab-like projection means for detachably mounting said clip ona film holder, and at least one of said end elements including aflange-like projection for detachable securement to a container formounting the latter on said film holder.
 2. A retainer clip device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said severed side element defines apair of wing-like portions which together with the integralcorresponding end elements yieldably pivot about the respectivejunctures of said end elements with said other side element.
 3. Aretainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a pair oflaterally spaced tab-like projections made integral with and extendingoutwardly from said severed side element, said tab-like projectionsbeing disposed on opposed sides of the severance of said side elementadapted for snap-action interlocking engagement with complementaryrecess slots provided in said film holder.
 4. A retainer clip device inaccordance with claim 3, wherein said tab-like projections extendoutwardly in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of said endand side elements.
 5. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1,including a flange-like projection made integral with and extendinginwardly from said end elements in a direction generally toward oneanother adapted for insertion into a closed folded bottom end of saidcontainer.
 6. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 5, whereinsaid flange-like projections extend inwardly generally parallel to oneanother and in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of the sideand end elements.
 7. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1,including at least one pair of tab-like projections made integral withand extending outwardly from said severed side element, a flange-likeprojection made integral with and extending inwardly from said endelements, and said tab-like projections disposed in the general plane ofthe upper edge surfaces of said end and side elements with saidflange-like projections being disposed in the general plane of the loweredge surfaces of said end and side elements.
 8. A retainer device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said body is made from a flexiblepolymeric material.
 9. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim1, wherein said container is of a hollow box-like construction havingtop and bottom ends, said bottom end including a closed flap end portiondefining a recess opening thereunder, and said flange-like projectionadapted to be inserted into said recess opening upon pivotal movement ofat least a portion of said severed side element.